ArmInfo. The opening of a consulate in Armenia's Kapan is absolutely in line with Tehran's policy toward the South Caucasus in general and toward Armenia in particular, Vardan Voskanyan, Head of the Chair of Iranian Studies, Yerevan State University, said in an interview with ArmInfo.
"Iran can bee said to be working north of its borders, employing all the instruments at its disposal. The consul, Abedin Varamin, has been appointed, and the process is progressing. I am sure it is not at all diplomacy alone that accounts for the opening of Iran's consulate in Armenia's Syunik. Rather, it is Tehran's clear message in response Turkish-Azerbaijani claims to Armenia's Syunik province," he said.
Iran has been intensifying its activity in the South Caucasus since the end of the 44-day Turkish- Azerbaijani aggression against Armenians. And the South Caucasus, Armenia, the Artsakh problems and Turkey's expanding its presence in Azerbaijan are Iran's foreign policy priorities, Mr Voskanyan says.
Given the vital importance of land communication via Syunik both for Armenia and Iran, Tehran cannot remain indifferent to the aggressive statements and actions by Ankara and Baku, whereas Armenia's leadership is obviously doing nothing.